Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's back disability has been characterized by pain during physical activity and a very slightly diminished range of motion. The VA examiner found that the Veteran’s forward flexion was greater than 30 degrees but not greater than 60 degrees, with combined range of motion not greater than 120 degrees. There were no episodes of intervertebral disc syndrome or incapacitating episodes. Therefore, an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for a back disability is not warranted.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back condition, left hip condition, and right hip condition as secondary to his service-connected bilateral knee conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess any scar related to the service-connected lumbar spine disability. The issues of rating in excess of 20 percent for the lumbar spine disability and separate compensable rating for a scar associated with it are pending.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for TDIU, finding that his service-connected disabilities render him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and occupational experience.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's currently diagnosed right knee, left knee, right elbow, cervical spine, and lumbar spine disabilities are related to his active military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining a dose estimate for radiation exposure claims and scheduling VA examinations to address the etiology of his lumbar spine disability and left shoulder acromioclavicular separation.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and to schedule a VA examination for his lumbar spine disability. The issues of service connection for cervical spine disability, as well as an increased rating for the lumbar spine disability, will be reconsidered based on all evidence.

The Veteran's migraines are rated at a compensable disability rating of 30 percent, and her DDD of the lumbar spine is currently rated at 20 percent. The Board finds that these ratings adequately reflect the severity of her service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is being remanded due to inadequate examination and new evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain is rated at a 10% disability rating. During the pendency of the appeal, his condition worsened and he experienced pain throughout the range of motion testing, warranting an increase to a 20% disability rating.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability and a pulmonary disability. The reopened claims are now addressed in the remand.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and readjudication of the issues on appeal, including obtaining additional evidence and arranging for medical examinations.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a low back disability, sinusitis, and right foot disability due to lack of new and material evidence. The Veteran does not have current disabilities for which he seeks service connection.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain has been rated at 20 percent since September 1, 2010. The current rating is appropriate given the symptoms and range of motion.

The Board denied service connection for a sebaceous cyst, low back disability, right hand disability, hypertension, and bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's appeal was not successful in any of these claims.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disorder as secondary to his service-connected bilateral plantar fasciitis.

The Veteran's bilateral cubital tunnel syndrome was found to have manifested during service and is related to service. The cervical spine disability, including arthritis and degenerative disc disease, as well as cervical radiculopathy, are not currently addressed due to the need for a remand.

The Veteran's initial ratings for degenerative joint disease, status post laminectomy, of the lumbosacral spine and rotator cuff tendonitis of the left shoulder remain at 20 percent.,No higher rating is warranted as there is no evidence of ankylosis or additional associated neurological abnormalities.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings have been withdrawn, and the cases are dismissed.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation at the housebound rate is being remanded due to a need for further development, including medical examination and consideration of whether his service-connected disability alone serves as the basis for his TDIU rating and if he is permanently housebound.